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ABI: New look, new focus

The American Butter Institute (ABI), managed by the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), unveiled a new logo, one of the many recent changes for the 106-year-old organization.

“As a result of the changes made through our strategic planning process, it was determined that ABI needed to revitalize and revamp its logo to bring it more into the 21st century, said Anuja Miner, who was named ABI executive director last autumn. She succeeded Jerry Kozak, who retired from the dairy industry after running ABI for the previous 22 years.

ABI reported 2013 U.S. butter consumption reached its highest level in 40 years. Since 2002, Americans increased butter intake by 25%. In 2012, per capita consumption reached 5.6 lbs. a year, up from a low of 4.1 lbs. in 1997.

Miner attributed the increase in part to a shift in consumer preferences, away from highly processed foods, artificial ingredients and trans fats derived from partially hydrogenated vegetable oils. Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration began the process of banning trans fats from the American food supply.

“Margarine and other spreads are no longer viewed as healthier alternatives,” she noted.